How can I make it faster?

[escortLX361]

Can anyone tell me what site I can go to get an afordable intake? Cold air or anything. it doesn't matter

[Ralph Marontate]

You are trying to make a racehorse out of a dog. My humble advise is to just drive and enjoy your Escort as is and find a more suitable car to soup up.
That way you will have transportation to get to work to earn the funds needed and you will have a worthwhile car project you can take your time creating.
Your project will become a money magnet so plan carefully and search for the best advise on what can be done and the best deals on parts prices.

[sugarbut]

i have a 1990 ford escort with a 1.9L motor and im trying to turbo charge it. I found out that my pistons will take up to 300 horse power.If there's anything anyone can tell me about this please do so.

[ron964]

Originally Posted by jeffescortlx

Yes you need a new one. I just changed mine last weekend.

I have the same problem with my rear defroster in my 1995 Escort LX, how much did it cost? I assume only Ford carries it, right? can you give more detail on how to remove the panel. Thanks in advance.

[sector95]

Here's some totally dull stuff to get the most out of your car without spending too much....

first, the 1.9L engine is a dog....made to get good gas mileage and have enough performance to keep it from being road kill....

If you can't remember the last time you did a good old fashioned tune up...now's the time. Plugs and wires are all you need; CarQuest sells OEM wires for 28 bucks....the plugs can be had for about $3.50 each for platinums....total about 50 bucks for this. Do you need "high-zoot" wires? Only if your ego needs stroking and your wallet needs lightening. While you're at it, replace the PCV and all the filters to include the fuel filter (Ford claims no regular service is required but that's BS) A restricted fuel filter can reduce fuel pressure to the injector manifold which will effect injector performance....speaking of injectors, get a bottle of Chevron's Techron (the 20 gal size; $9) and run a tankfull through (or better, only fill the tank half-way). Don't waste time buying the cheaper stuff; I've tried 'em all and they don't work....the Techron does the trick. You might have to run two treatments but you will notice a difference.....probably run another $50-60 for all this.

Okay...free time....the stock intake track on the 1.9L is too restrictive and the fix is easy and free. Find the airbox in the left front fender and remove it. You'll have to disconnect the two electrical connectors (temp probe and MAF sensor) and also the rubber ducting (very easy to do). Once you pull the airbox out, you'll find a plastic, molded duct that looks like it came from under the kitchen sink. It's purpose is to minimize intake roar while drawing cooler outside air. In my car ('95 LX wagon) the actual opening in this device, the hole through which the engine has to "breathe", is about 1 to 1 1/2" in diameter!! Remove the intake muffler (it's held in place with a bolt) and then replace the airbox, ducting and electrical connections. How much HP increase? I don't know but there's gotta be some and whatever increase it is came free.

Replace the O2 sensor.....it lives on the exhaust manifold....look down between the radiator and the engine and you'll see it; its got a wire attatched to it. Will it increase performance?....it's a crap shoot....but this is one of the main inputs to the computer to determine fuel mixture and adjustments to the injector "squirt". They run about $40.

Replace the EGR valve.....it lives right behind the throttle body...just follow the steel tube that comes off the exhaust manifold and goes back behind the engine. Over time, the pintle and seat in an EGR valve can errode and become fouled with carbon. This can cause a situation where more exhaust gas is being recirculted than actually needed.....which will also decrease performance.....also another crap shoot and also runs about $40.


While you've got the intake ducting off (to get that free HP), look inside the throttle body (the thing with the butterfly valve)....bet that looks pretty nasty inside, eh? Get some "Intake" cleaner, *not* carb cleaner; CRC makes the stuff. Intake cleaner is safe to use because it will not harm any protective coatings that may be present inside the throttle body and intake castings. You might do well to remove the throttle body (again very easy; 4 bolts hold it in place and you'll need to disconnect the throttle cable and the kickdown cable if you have an auto trans) to really get it all clean in that area. Use a tooth brush and go lightly with the cleaner spray; it's very effective. Wipe the interior dry with paper towels. Put it all back together and use a new gasket for the throttle body (NAPA has them).

Barring the fact you've got an engine in dire need of a rebuild, doing all these things will restore the engine to its best stock performance (maybe just a hair more with intake mod). Pacesetter makes a cat back exhuast system (about 230 clams) and a header (another 300 or so clams) but you'll have to relocate the cat with the header (which means you have to buy a new cat). There are some aftermarket intakes around but they run about 150 smackers.

Sorry to be so long-winded but "performance" doesn't necessarily mean spending gobs of money on neon colored parts and farty-loud mufflers. Besides, any after-market mods thrown on a car in poor stock condition is a waste of money......

good luck!

mike

[jeffescortlx]

Originally Posted by sugarbut

i have a 1990 ford escort with a 1.9L motor and im trying to turbo charge it. I found out that my pistons will take up to 300 horse power.If there's anything anyone can tell me about this please do so.

Where did you hear that?
It depends on if you have the CFI or HO motor.
It is possible, but only when done right.
It has been done, this is how:
HO head on a CFI bottom, lowers the C/R.
2.3 Turbo "computer, VAM and Injectors".
US spec 1.6 IHI turbo and manifold with a IHI 2.3 Turbo cold side hybrid and Down pipe. set to about 20psi
(UK spec manifold with T3 is better)
FMIC
Than just oil/coolent lines, oil cooler is a good idea to.

Proper Tuning makes the different of a 300hp motor or a pile of parts sitting in the bottom of the oil pan.


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